PREVALENCE OF NASAL CARRIAGE OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO NUMBER OF METHICILLIN RESISTANCE AND ANTIMICROBIAL EVALUATION AMONG APPARENTLY PEOPLE WITH GOOD HEALTH STATUS

The emergence and spread of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) strains that are resistant to some first line and supplementary group of antibiotics is a matter of public health importance. S. aureus is ubiquitously found in the environment as a commensal organism, but pathogenic strains of the bacterium that are resistant to some commonly available antibiotics puts antimicrobial therapy at risk. Objectives: To determine the number of nasal carriers of S. aureus among apparently healthy people from Iasi and to assess the antibiogram profile of isolated strains, with special reference to methicillin sensitivity. Material and methods: This study was conducted in Biodev Medical Center, Iasi, Romania, during 2014 - 2018, where a total of 757 apparently healthy patients (men, women and children) were tested for S. aureus infection. The samples were collected from their anterior nares and incubated on culture media for isolation and antibiotic susceptibility testing in microbiology department. The data was compiled and analyzed for the prevalence of S. aureus carriers, the number of MRSA strains and the antibiotic resistance pattern. Results and discussion: Our study has shown that from 757 people involved, 229 of them were carriers of S. aureus strains and 22 of them were MRSA strain carriers. Additionally, we found that the male / female portability ratio is similar and also the fact that the most carriers are in the group of age over 18, followed by school age people (age 8-18 years old). Conclusions: This study will help raise awareness regarding the danger of developing antibiotic resistance and in the same time also reduce or prevent self-medication and antibiotics abuse without medical recommendation.